in-cyprus 10 January 2026 - by Fanis Makridis
Experts believe a sophisticated smear campaign targeting the Cypriot Presidency, which used manipulated video footage alleging corruption, bears the hallmarks of a Russian hybrid disinformation operation.
The orchestrators of the video approached key figures under false pretences, including Cyfield Group Executive Director George Chryssochos. They posed as representatives of a Dutch investment fund, offering a €150 million energy investment.
Their purported interest focused specifically on Cyfield’s private power station project at Vasilikos, which the company had announced would generate electricity up to 40% cheaper than the state-owned Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC). Sources suggest the individuals were “well-researched” and used a “targeted questionnaire,” aware that the group, like many corporate entities, makes corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions supporting Presidential programmes.
Chryssochos met with a person claiming to be from the Dutch investment company in London last November, where the audiovisual material was recorded without consent. The two-hour meeting, preceded by an earlier contact on the same subject, covered various issues. One participant in the scheme used a name similar to a Romanian one, and his accent sounded like a national from Eastern Europe. The supposed investment fund was named “Stratix.”
The same €150 million investment scenario was used to approach former Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister George Lakkotrypis. Lakkotrypis, who serves on the board of an energy organisation as an energy expert, was reportedly asked to sign a consultancy contract with the firm, which presented itself as “Stratix Wealth.” Sources said Lakkotrypis allegedly received a fee from the entity for the advice he provided.
Following the video’s broadcast, the former government official reported to the Nicosia Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and gave a statement yesterday to Police HQ CID, accompanied by his lawyer, where he reportedly submitted documents and other evidence. A competent police source told Fileleftheros that the Electronic Crime Sub-directorate and the Criminal Investigations Service (YPEGE) are assisting in the investigation, examining documents and evidence.
Fileleftheros contacted Chryssochos, who insisted his statements to the alleged fund representative contained “nothing censurable.”
“I spoke for two hours and referred to well-known issues, and we spoke about many people. My statements were stitched together to suggest I was referring to the President. Yes, I also spoke about contributions the Group makes to the Social Support Body. What is wrong with that?” Chryssochos said. He advised his lawyer but has no intention of making a formal complaint to the Police.
The corporate name “Stratix Wealth” was used by the individuals who recorded statements from Lakkotrypis, Chryssochos, and Charalambos Charalambous. They claimed to be managing a Dutch fund. However, there are no clear indications that a company exists with that exact name. Other corporate organisations in the UK, Netherlands, and USA use the name “Stratix” with other compounds, making identification difficult. A company called Stratix in Hilversum, Netherlands, is unrelated. The user “Emily Thompson,” who uploaded the material to platform ‘X’, is also missing.
Information suggests that experts from services who analysed the data concluded the Republic is facing an organised hybrid operation. This malicious activity carries the characteristics of organised Russian disinformation campaigns. Experts do not rule out that the attack could signal possible similar malicious actions during Cyprus’s upcoming presidency of the European Union Council.
The analysis findings suggest the video posted on ‘X’ has all the traits of the Russian-origin ‘Doppelganger’ campaign, an online campaign of organised hybrid disinformation identified since 2021 that targets EU member states. This practice, often seen in Russia, is linked to the intelligence term kompromat—historically from the Soviet Union—which has been identified with character assassination tactics often involving anonymous online videos published under the guise of journalistic exposure.
The Cypriot Intelligence Service was in contact with the Presidential Palace from the first hours the material appeared online. Circles close to the Presidency indicated that the publication coincides with several significant developments for Cyprus, including the assumption of the EU Council Presidency, the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the arrival of US officials regarding the “Andreas Papandreou” airbase.
A source who spoke to Fileleftheros said they are certain that the relevant intelligence service has already completed its analysis and submitted the findings to the Police.
